DENVER/January 28, 2022 – Morris Animal Foundation, a leader in advancing animal health, recently announced the selection of 12 new wildlife health studies to receive funding in 2022. The selected studies focus on critical health issues impacting wildlife living in coastal wetland habitats.
“Species residing in coastal wetlands face critical threats to their health and viability due to global climate change, local and regional pollution, invasive species, habitat loss and other factors,” said Dr. Janet Patterson-Kane, Chief Scientific Officer. “The response from researchers to our call for proposals focused on coastal wetland habitats shows the growing need of targeted research if we are to protect and preserve the species that live in these biologically diverse and important ecosystems.”
The Foundation’s Wildlife Scientific Advisory Board reviewed all submitted grant applications and selected, based on scientific merit and impact, the studies with the greatest potential to save lives and protect health and/or populations of species residing in critical coastal wetland habitats. Studies funded for 2022 include:
Effects of Urbanization on River Otters
Researchers, in collaboration with local citizen scientists, will study how the growth of cities along the Chesapeake Bay are affecting the health of nearby North American river otters.
Reproductive Effects of Urbanization on White Ibises
Researchers will study how white ibises are adjusting reproductive habits in response to urbanization in southern Florida, and the effect this change will have on long-term health.
Modeling Disease Transmission in a Sentinel Marine Species
Researchers will develop a modeling tool to better understand disease transmission and forecast future disease outbreaks in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins living in the Chesapeake Bay.
For the complete list of funded studies, or for additional information, please send your request to [email protected].
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, the Foundation has invested more than $142 million to date in nearly 3,000 studies to advance the health and well-being of animals around the world. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
